Rome, Italy, Apr 2, 2020 / 09:48 am
The 16th-century crucifix which was present in St. Peter's Square for Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi blessing last week was reportedly damaged by rain, but the priest in charge of the church where the cross traditionally hangs said it has not been seriously harmed.
Fr. Enrico Maria Casini, who is in charge of San Marcello al Corso in Rome, told CNA April 2 the damage to the miraculous crucifix from rain "is not serious," from what he understands, and is expected to be returned to the church for Easter.
According to a Vatican source, the crucifix was not as badly damaged as some initially suggested and will be on public display again during the pope's Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica April 5, as well as during the pope's other Holy Week liturgies.
The wooden crucifix was moved from San Marcello al Corso to the Vatican March 25. Pope Francis prayed before the crucifix during his extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square March 27 for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.